Big Changes at USAID: 83% of Programs Set to Be Canceled

News Summary

In a significant overhaul, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the cancellation of 83% of USAID programs following a comprehensive six-week review. The drastic decision, impacting around 5,200 contracts, will leave only approximately 1,000 programs operational. This restructuring aims to tighten control over U.S. international assistance but raises concerns about the humanitarian crises that may worsen due to cuts in health and nutrition support. The announcement has sparked debate regarding national security implications and the effects on vulnerable communities worldwide.

Big Changes at USAID: 83% of Programs Set to Be Canceled

In a surprising move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has just announced the cancellation of a jaw-dropping 83% of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs. This announcement has left folks wondering what it means for humanitarian efforts around the globe.

Major Shake-Up at USAID

This bold decision comes on the heels of a six-week review of USAID’s operations. During this extensive assessment, the Secretary deemed that around 5,200 contracts were either not beneficial or even detrimental to U.S. interests. That’s right, tens of billions of dollars that were slated for various programs will now be redirected or eliminated entirely!

After this major review, only about 1,000 programs, which represent 18% of USAID’s efforts, will survive. These remaining initiatives will now be overseen directly by the State Department, putting a tighter grip on how American international assistance will be managed moving forward.

A Critical Review of Programs

Rubio acknowledged the importance of this extensive review and even expressed gratitude towards Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency for their contributions, despite some previous rocky interactions between them. Musk himself called the decisions “tough, but necessary,” adding a sense of urgency and weight to the entire process.

What’s on the Chopping Block?

You might be asking, what exactly is being cut? Well, some pretty critical programs are on the list. Recent cuts include vital funding for health initiatives that tackle serious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, polio, malaria, and Ebola. These health programs were saving lives and addressing urgent medical crises around the world.

To make matters worse, nutrition assistance for infants and vulnerable populations in developing countries is also facing significant reductions. The impact of these cuts cannot be understated—many experts fear it could lead to preventable deaths and heightened instability in regions already facing crises.

Public Reactions and Backlash

As you can imagine, this massive restructuring is sparking quite a bit of debate. Critics have expressed deep concern, warning that these cuts could pose significant risks to national security and humanitarian efforts globally. Friends of USAID has been vocal about their dissatisfaction, claiming that the administration didn’t conduct a comprehensive review process before jumping into such drastic measures.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that just recently, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to pay nearly $2 billion in unpaid humanitarian aid fees—a ruling the Supreme Court upheld. This adds another layer of complexity to the already controversial situation surrounding USAID.

What Lies Ahead?

Before these sweeping changes, USAID was responsible for disbursing billions of dollars every year targeted at poverty alleviation, disease treatment, and disaster response. This restructuring process has already resulted in several lawsuits and brought about backlash from employees within the agency and the broader humanitarian community.

As the dust begins to settle, the biggest questions on everyone’s mind are: what will become of these programs, and how will the reductions impact the vulnerable communities that depend on this aid? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—this is a seismic shift in U.S. foreign aid that could change the lives of many across the globe.

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